The first Money in the Bank Ladder Match proved so treacherous, exhilarating and electrifying at WrestleMania 21 that the contest warranted its own pay-per-view.

Since that inaugural contest, the winner has walked away with a contract that entitles the holder to a World Championship Match at any point throughout the year. To date, every Superstar who has cashed in a Money in the Bank contract has earned a championship in return, save one.

Fun Money in the Bank facts

This helps explain why the WWE Universe has always eagerly awaited when and where "Mr. Money in the Bank" will feel the time is right for seizing his moment. From Edge to Daniel Bryan, relive all the exciting Money in the Bank cash-ins that have thrilled the WWE Universe. ( VIDEO PLAYLIST)

2005 — Edge

Though Chris Jericho came up with the idea for the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match, it was Edge who won the inaugural contest at WrestleMania 21 in 2005. The first-ever "Mr. Money in the Bank" bided his time until January 8 the following year. At New Year's Revolution 2006, then-WWE Champion John Cena defended his title against five other competitors in a brutal Elimination Chamber Match. Though Cena won the contest, he was battered and exhausted — easy prey for the Rated-R Superstar, who appeared unexpectedly moments later and cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Edge hit the battle-weary Cena with two Spears, ending the match in less than two minutes to become the new WWE Champion and show the world just what The Rated-R Superstar can do.

2006 — Rob Van Dam

WrestleMania 22's Money in the Bank Ladder Match was an inter-promotional contest, but Rob Van Dam established that it was still truly Raw's when he grabbed hold of the contract high above the ring. Fittingly, the Superstar would challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship at One Night Stand 2006, the pay-per-view that heralded the return of ECW. RVD squared off against Cena at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, where fans supported Van Dam with signs reading "If Cena wins, we RIOT!"

Video:  RVD calls his cash-in

That rebellious spirit was evident in the match as well, as two separate referees were knocked out, allowing Edge to emerge and Spear Cena through a table. RVD capitalized with his signature Five Star Frog Splash, with ECW founder Paul Heyman running down the aisle to count the pinfall and declare Van Dam the new WWE Champion. RVD would go on to join the ECW brand and be declared the ECW Champion, becoming the first Superstar to hold both titles, and the only one to hold them simultaneously.

2007 — Edge

At WrestleMania 23, Money in the Bank belonged to Mr. Kennedy, who knocked out CM Punk to win the match. The Green Bay Loudmouth quickly proclaimed that he would cash in the contract at WrestleMania XXIV, and not a moment sooner. Kennedy wouldn't have such an opportunity, however; in May 2007, he lost the contract in a match against a Superstar already well invested with the Money in the Bank: Edge. The following night at SmackDown, the Money in the Bank holder earned another moniker — "The Ultimate Opportunist" — by waiting until then-World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker had not only endured a vicious Steel Cage Match with Batista, but had also been manhandled by Mark Henry. Staying true to his sleazy modus operandi, Edge emerged and delivered two of his infamous Spears, stealing his first World Heavyweight Championship.

2008 — CM Punk

WrestleMania XXIV's Money in the Bank saw several of its Ladder Match veterans compete, including Mr. Kennedy, Chris Jericho and Carlito. But CM Punk, eager not to repeat his near-miss from the year before, defeated them all, becoming WWE's fourth Mr. Money in the Bank. During 2008, CM Punk was drafted to Raw as Triple H and his WWE Championship were drafted to SmackDown. A week later, less than 24 hours after Night of Champions, World Heavyweight Champion Edge came out to gloat in front of the Raw audience, only to be brutally interrupted by a rabid Animal beating at the hands of Batista. With Edge barely able to stand, CM Punk rushed to the ring, cashed in his contract and hit Edge with a punishing Go to Sleep. Giving Edge a taste of his own opportunistic medicine, Punk pinned the Rated-R Superstar and brought the World Heavyweight Championship back to Raw in his very first contest as a Raw Superstar.

Watch classic Raw debuts

2009 — CM Punk

The Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania was one of the most intense contests yet. Though it is usually a match that favors quicker, more agile Superstars, this particular iteration had some powerhouse ring warriors in the form of Mark Henry and Kane. Once again, though, CM Punk overcame all of the competition, climbing to the top of the ladder to retrieve his second contract and becoming the first Superstar to win consecutive Money in the Bank Ladder Matches.

Full match:  Punk repeats his feat 

Months later, after joining the SmackDown roster, CM Punk once again picked an opportune moment to cash in. At WWE Extreme Rules, Jeff Hardy survived a punishing Ladder Match to win his first World Heavyweight Championship. The Charismatic Enigma didn't have long to celebrate, however, as The Straight Edge Superstar traded in his briefcase minutes after the match, hitting Hardy with the GTS twice to win his second World Heavyweight Title.

2010 – Jack Swagger

After emerging victorious in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania XXVI – besting opponents such as Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne and Kane – Jack Swagger was feeling itchy. Just five days later on SmackDown, he struck. Reigning World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho had gotten into a confrontation with his WrestleMania opponent Edge when suddenly, The Ultimate Opportunist rocked his former ally with a Spear. While walking away from the ring, an unsuspecting Edge was then clobbered from behind by Swagger and the Money in the Bank briefcase. With two Superstars lying prone on the canvas, The All-American American frantically summoned a referee. The ring of the bell still hanging in the air, Swagger nailed Jericho with a Gut-wrench Powerbomb and reveled in the glory of his new World Heavyweight Title.

2010 – Kane

The Money in the Bank pay-per-view should have been a night of celebration for allies Kane and Rey Mysterio. The Big Red Monster - who for weeks had been hell-bent on discovering the attacker of his brother, The Undertaker - had prevailed in SmackDown's Eight-Superstar Money in the Bank Ladder Match, capturing the briefcase and a championship opportunity. Later that night, The Master of the 619 successfully defended his World Championship against Jack Swagger.

Kane's career highlights |  The Devil's Favorite Chokeslams

In The wake of victory, though, The All-American American relentlessly attacked Rey with his ankle lock, until Kane came to his rescue. Any elation felt, however, buckled under the weight of betrayal. After leaving The Ultimate Underdog to recover, Kane returned to the ring with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Void of humanity, The Big Red Monster (whom we soon learned was The Undertaker's assailant!) coldly cashed in his championship opportunity and proceeded to pummel his "friend" mercilessly in a successful bid at capturing the World Heavyweight Title.

2010 – The Miz

Seizing the coveted contract against seven other Raw Superstars in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the titular pay-per-view in June 2010, the cocky Raw Superstar appeared overjoyed, though he wasn't about to blow the biggest opportunity of his career. He waited. And waited. In fact, four months passed before he finally pulled the trigger, the day after Survivor Series. At the esteemed pay-per-view, WWE Champion Randy Orton had effectively defended his title against The Nexus' Wade Barrett.

The following night on Raw, The Viper was once again forced to defend his championship against the Englishman. Prior to the bout, though, The Nexus ambushed Orton, leaving him severely staggered. Although WWE's Apex Predator managed to edge out a victory over Barrett, The Miz lay in wait. The "Cleveland Screamer" swiftly charged the ring, cashed in his contract and implored the referee to start the match. Despite a valiant effort by Orton, The Miz mounted a relentless offense to capture his first-ever WWE Championship - arguably, the most "Awesome" moment of his WWE career.

2011 – Alberto Del Rio

After vigorously working to convince the WWE Universe that winning the WWE Championship was his destiny, The Mexican Aristocrat made believers out of everyone after capturing the contract in the Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

His triumph would be overshadowed less than two hours later, however, when CM Punk conquered then-WWE Champion John Cena and shockingly left WWE with his title in his grasp. Punk would return just moments after Cena had captured the replacement WWE Title on Raw. And ultimately, at SummerSlam, The Second City Saint would defeat the "quintessential WWE Superstar" to become the Undisputed WWE Champion – following special guest referee Triple H's failure to see Cena's foot on the ropes. But, just as Punk was beginning his celebration, he suddenly found himself Jackknife Powerbombed by a returning Kevin Nash. Then and there, Alberto Del Rio knew his moment of destiny had arrived. From out of nowhere, he emerged to cash in his opportunity, blasting the war-torn Punk with an enzuigiri kick to capture his first WWE Championship.

2011 – Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan shocked the WWE Universe when he won the SmackDown Money in the Bank Ladder Match on July 17, 2011, then followed it up with an equally surprising announcement: He would cash in his title opportunity on The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania XXVIII. Maybe it was all strategy, however, as the master of the "Yes!" Lock's plans changed with a couple of close-call cash-ins, including a successful strike on Mark Henry that SmackDown GM Teddy Long was forced to overturn. Weeks after the voided transaction, in the fallout of Big Show's grueling championship victory in a Chairs Match at WWE TLC, the door opened for Bryan after The World's Strongest Man laid out Show with a DDT onto a steel chair. With a referee in tow and the crowd chanting his name, Bryan dashed to the ring and cashed in his contract. Rushing the referee, he pinned the giant, hooking Big Show's massive leg for a three-count to realize his dream of becoming World Heavyweight Champion.

Watch:  Bryan's WrestleMania comeuppance

2012 — John Cena

The WWE Universe had to know that a Money in the Bank cash-in would fall short eventually, but it’s safe to say no one ever assumed the Superstar to miss the mark would be John Cena. After capturing the Money in the Bank contract for a WWE Championship Match in July 2012, Cena made his move at Raw 1,000 against then-champion CM Punk in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2011 classic for the supreme prize.

Full match:  Cena vs. Punk at Money in the Bank '11 | Photos:  Cena's dash for the cash

The Cenation leader’s track record in championship matches is nearly unmatched, and with Punk trapped in the STF and no escape in sight, it seemed Cena’s 11th WWE Championship was all but guaranteed. That is, until Big Show interfered and laid waste to the Cenation leader with a vicious elbow drop. The sneak attack technically awarded Cena a disqualification victory over The Second City Saint, but since championships cannot change hands via disqualification, the title would remain in Punk’s hands until January 2013.

2013 – Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler has promised from Day One that he would be the greatest Superstar in WWE history, and when he captured the 2012 Money in the Bank Contract for a World Heavyweight Championship Match, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time before The Showoff scaled sports-entertainment’s most longstanding peak. But a series of failed cash-in attempts on various champions (plus two  matches where he nearly lost the case altogether) left Dolph on the defensive and turned the precious briefcase into roadkill; amassing countless dents and nicks over the course of the nine months Ziggler held it. For a while, the WWE Universe was wondering if, not when, Ziggler would take his shot, but The Showoff finally made his move on the April 8, 2013 edition of Raw, pouncing on a wounded Alberto Del Rio and claiming The Essence of Excellence’s World Heavyweight Championship in the process.